Rabbits will most likely not show any signs of illness or pain before it is really serious, as any weakness would mark them as an easy target for predators in the wild. It is therefore important that you, as an owner, carry out regular health checks on your pet, so that you are able to spot potential problems while they are still treatable.
Always take your rabbit to the vet as soon as you suspect something is not right. A rabbit’s health can deteriorate very quickly, so don’t lose any time wondering if it’s worth it or not.
Body
Put a towel on your lap and place your rabbit on top of it. Stroke him or her to calm them down. When your rabbit has settled, you can start examining their body.
Feel the stomach to make sure it’s not swollen or distended, and go through the rest of the body for signs of cuts, bruises or lumps. Feel the muscles in the legs, they should be strong and firm. Any wincing or unexpected movement from the rabbit could be a sign that the body part you’re touching is causing your rabbit pain.
Check your rabbit’s breathing; it should not be laboured. Wheezing or clicking noises from the lungs can be signs of illness.
It is worth getting a set of scales and regularly weighing your rabbit. Sudden weight loss is a serious sign of illness, and a lack of appetite is a strong indicator of poor health.
Mouth and nose
The nose should be dry and not have any discharge. Check that the rabbit is not dribbling, and that it doesn’t have any sores or cuts around the mouth. The gums should be pink (a red or purple colour is a sign of illness).
Make sure the teeth are not overgrown or damaged. They should also be growing straight, and be uniform. You won’t be able to see the back teeth, but if you move your fingers over the cheek you can feel for lumps, and make sure that everything is symmetrical. Overgrown teeth are a serious problem as this can prevent your rabbit from eating, which is why it is very important to give them plenty of good quality hay to wear the teeth down with.
Eyes
Check your rabbits eyes to make sure they are clean and clear. You shouldn’t see any discharge or dirt. If you do, carefully pull back the eyelid to see if you notice any redness or pus in the eye; it is possible that the rabbit has scratched its eye. The eyes should also be dry; runny eyes can be a sign of teeth problems, or possibly ingrowing eyelashes or blocked tear ducts.
Ears
Rabbit ears should be free from any dirt, wounds, lumps, wax, discharge or parasites. Look inside the ears; you can use a torch if it’s difficult to see. Take extra care if you have a lop rabbit as they are particularly prone to abscesses around the ears. Carefully massage the base of the ears, where lumps can sometimes occur.
Feet
Watch your rabbit move around to make sure it’s not limping and doesn’t have any lameness in the legs. Pick up your rabbit and put him or her on your lap. It’s not a good idea to put a rabbit on its back, so hold it against you with one hand under its bottom. Try spreading the toes to check for scabs, abscesses or a build up of dirt. Also check the heels on the back feet. These should not be red or swollen. Check the fur on the feet and brush it if it’s matted.
Rear End
Check the fur around the bottom. It should be completely clear from faeces or other dirt. A dirty bottom can be a sign that the rabbit’s diet is too rich and that they are not eating all the caecotrophs they produce.
During summer you should check for any build up of dirt at least once a day, as a dirty bum can attract flies that lay eggs in the damp fur. This causes a condition known as flystrike, which can kill a healthy rabbit in a matter of days.
Also check the rear end for any swelling or redness.
Coat
With your rabbit sat on your lap, part the hair with your fingers and check for cuts and wounds, bald patches, anything moving, small brown dots or white flakes.
Even if you don’t have a rabbit that requires grooming on a daily or weekly basis it is good to get your pet used to brushing from an early age. Rabbits moult regularly, and you might need to help them get rid of dead hair from their coat during this time.
Changes in temperament
Sudden changes in temperament and behaviour is never a good sign. Maybe your rabbit doesn’t come running when you approach it with food in the morning, or is suddenly aggressive. These might be signs your rabbit is in pain.
Rabbits who reach sexual maturity can sometimes act very differently. Spraying is a common problem, as is aggression. Your rabbit might not be in pain, but it can be very distressing for them to go through this ‘puberty phase’. This might be a good reason to get your pets neutered as soon as they are old enough.
This entry was posted in Rabbits
Many people with indoor rabbits would like to let them roam free in the house, giving them more space and including them in daily family life, but worry that they will have to spend their time picking up droppings and wiping up wee. They might however not realise that rabbits, like cats, can be trained to use a litterbox.
Preparations
If you haven’t already done so, you will need to spay or neuter your pet, as an unspayed or unneutered rabbit will be almost impossible to litter train. You will also need to keep the rabbit in a confined space until they’re fully grown. Unlike with dogs and cats, it’s much easier to train older rabbits, as their attention span and learning abilities are very limited when as babies or very young.
Litter training a rabbit can take some time, and accidents will most certainly happen, so make sure you have enough patience to get through the process with your pet. Rabbits, like most animals, will not respond well to any type of punishment, so never tell your rabbit off when he or she has done something wrong. This will only make them forget what they have learned, and they will be more reluctant to try again.
Choose The Right Place
While the rabbit is learning, you will need to keep him or her in a confined space in the house. Bathrooms or utility rooms are good places, but you can also set up a playpen, ideally in a room that is not carpeted.
You will most likely be needing several litter boxes further along in the training process, but start with one. If you notice that the rabbit keeps going into a different corner to wee or poo, move the box to their preferred place.
The Litter Box
Rabbits want space to stretch out in the box, so make sure you get one that is big enough. You will be able to find boxes specifically designed for rabbits, but the best option is normally a simple medium sized tray-type cat litter box. Just make sure the rabbit can easily hop into it.
Prep the box with a layer of absorbent litter. Carefresh is a perfect alternative as it soaks up any unwanted odeurs, but you can also use shredded paper or wood based solutions. Don’t use anything that will be dangerous for the rabbit to ingest, as they will nibble on the bedding. Make sure to also stay away from softwoods like pine or cedar, as well as clay-based or clumping litter, as they can be harmful to your bunny.
Put a good layer of good quality hay on top of the bedding, and add some of the droppings and urine-soaked bedding. This will guide the rabbit to the right spot.
Try It Out With Your Bunny
Let the rabbit into the training room or area, and stay with him or her. When you see them leave droppings or urinate, immediately lift them up and put both the bunny and the droppings in the tray. Talk softly and pet him or her. This should after a while hopefully get the message across that the litter box is the right place to go. Spend as much time as possible doing this over a few days. When you need to leave, put the rabbit back in the hutch or smaller enclosure. Repeat daily until you can trust them to know where to go.
When you think you rabbit is ready to move on you can gradually expand the area where the rabbit is kept. Don’t overwhelm them with the whole house at once, as that will only mean that the rabbit will forget where the litter box is, and all that hard training will go to waste.
Notice where accidents tend to happen, and put out extra litter boxes there. This might mean you have to move the rabbits cage or rearrange some furniture, but once you have got it right it will be worth it.
It’s important to note that very few rabbits are 100% reliable with their litter box. Accidents will probably keep occurring throughout the rabbit’s life, and that doesn’t mean that the training has failed. It is also normal for the rabbit to leave a few droppings right next to the box or sometimes urinate on, or over, the edge of the tray. Put a mat or some paper under the box to make it easy to clean.
This entry was posted in Rabbits
Did you know that you can tell a lot about your rabbits’ health by looking at their droppings? Rabbit faeces should be very predictable in size, colour, and consistency – anything out of the ordinary could be a red flag for owners. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about rabbit poo, and when it might be time to call the vet.
Different types of poo
Rabbits actually produce two types of droppings, so recognizing what’s normal and what’s not can help you identify potential digestive issues with your rabbit.
Fecal pellets
This is what most people think of when you say rabbit poo. They’re small, round balls made up of mostly undigested hay. These droppings are relatively firm and dry, and they shouldn’t emit much of an odour. There will be lots of these to clean, so take the opportunity to see if they look normal. In fact, rabbits can produce between 200-300 faecal pellets every day.
Faecal pellets should be dark green to dark brown in colour. Their texture should be smooth and round, and they shouldn’t stick to the tray or sides of the hutch. Some rabbits may occasionally get a pellet or two stuck in the hair around their tail, but overall their droppings should be firm enough that this is not a common occurrence.
Cecotropes
These are not actually poo, but little balls of nutrition that the rabbits will pick up and eat again. This might not sound appealing, but they’re a vital part of a rabbit’s diet. So, should you see your bunny munching on these, it’s no cause for alarm – they’re doing as nature intended.
Cecotropes are formed in a part of the digestive system called the caecum. After the food moves through the small intestine, it’s separated into digested and undigested food. Food matter that’s been digested and void of nutritional value will go through the large intestine to be eliminated as pellets. Undigested food will be sent through the caecum where plenty of healthy microorganisms and bacteria will break it down into a form that the body will actually be able to digest. The result is cecotropes that the rabbit will eliminate and ingest again.
Most of the time the rabbit will eat the cecotropes as soon as they are eliminated. If you happen to come across these soft and shiny black balls clustered together like a small blackberry – you’ve found a cecotrope that your rabbit might have missed.
Problems with rabbit poo
Check your rabbit’s poo each time you clean the hutch for any new or irregular bowel movements. Examples of unusual faecal pellets include:
- Smaller or harder than usual
- A foul or strong odour
- Different colour
- Strung together with hair
Issues with diet
The main reason for poo-related problems is an unbalanced diet, or sudden change in diet. Make changes toward a balanced bunny diet, but make sure not to make changes too quickly to avoid digestive upset. A balanced diet for a rabbit consists of roughly 90% good-quality hay and a dish of quality pellets. As a treat, you can offer your rabbits small amounts of rabbit-safe fruits and vegetables or leafy greens in a Caddi Rabbit Treat Holder to elevate their snack time. Make sure your rabbits have access to fresh, clean water at all times to help keep their digestion moving.
Like humans, individual rabbits may react differently to different foods. If you notice your rabbit having very hard or fewer than normal faecal pellets, take it back to the basics. If your bunny is able to regulate their digestion on hay and pellets alone, slowly reintroduce supplemental veggies. Leafy greens like lettuce and cabbage are higher in fibre and easiest for them to digest. Fruits and veggies like carrots are high in starch and should only be offered in small amounts no more than a couple of times per week.
Help them with grooming
If you have long-haired rabbits like Lionheads or Angoras, it’s inevitable that they will ingest some fur during grooming – and what goes in, must come out. You may occasionally find your rabbits’ faecal pellets strung together with long strands of hair. If this occurs more often than once or twice a month, you’ll want to groom your rabbits more often. This is especially helpful in the autumn and spring when rabbits shed their seasonal coats.
Diarrhea warrants a call to the vet
Diarrhoea can be very serious in rabbits – especially during the warmer months of the year when flies are attracted to damp and dirty fur. Fly strike in rabbits occurs when fly larvae hatch from eggs laid by flies that are attracted to your rabbit’s soiled fur. This condition can be fatal to rabbits in a matter of days, so it’s important to address diarrhoea quickly. If their belly isn’t back to normal within 24 hours, it’s time to call the veterinarian.
Diarrhoea can be caused by a number of things, including:
- Dietary changes or poor diet
- Disease
- Stress
Rabbit droppings as fertiliser
Rabbits and gardeners have a complicated history, but rabbit droppings make excellent fertiliser for your garden. Rabbit droppings can be added directly to plants and flower beds right away – it breaks down quickly and doesn’t damage the plants or roots.
Rabbit manure contains 4 times more nutrients than cow or horse manure, and twice as much as chicken manure, but it doesn’t have as much nitrogen in it, which means that it doesn’t have to be composted. Rabbit pellets will continue to release nutrients as they break down, and will improve the structure of the soil. A rabbit hutch with a removable droppings tray makes it simple to dump your rabbits’ droppings directly onto your soil.
A happy home with Omlet
A relaxed rabbit is a happy rabbit, and Omlet understands how to make bunnies comfortable in their abodes. Our Eglu Go Rabbit Hutch is easy for owners to clean, making rabbit droppings readily available for gardening or disposal, and keeping flies to a minimum. The Caddi Rabbit Treat Holder makes serving your rabbits’ nutritious treats fun and easy, eliminating mess and stress. Keep your rabbits’ tummies and your workload in harmony when you choose Omlet for their home.
This entry was posted in Rabbits
Upgrade your rabbit’s and guinea pig’s home with the range of Zippi Tunnels and Runs – now all with free delivery for a limited time only!
This offer is available on ALL Zippi Tunnels, Playpens, Runs and accessories, so you can create your pet’s perfect play area with free and fast delivery – ready for spring!
Use promo code ZIPPISAVE at checkout for free delivery!
Connect your rabbit’s or guinea pig’s hutch to a brand new run with the Zippi Tunnel System, perfect for providing your pet access to more space to play and exercise via the safe, predator proof tubes.
Available with a number of accessories to suit your needs, your very own Zippi Tunnel System can be easily designed with our online configurator, complete with lockable doors, hay racks, look out stations and more, or choose from one of our popular starter packs.
Designed to be easily connected to the Zippi Tunnels, the new range of Zippi Playpens and Runs provide a movable solution to giving your rabbit or guinea pig more space, making them happier and healthier.
The Zippi Playpen is an open style exercise and play space that provides easy access for children and pet owners alike and is great for interactive play. The Zippi Run offers a secure space for your rabbit to exercise unsupervised and comes with an enclosed roof and an option of underfloor mesh or a surrounding mesh skirt.
Don’t forget to complete your pet’s new play area with the range of Zippi weather protection so that playtime can carry on whatever the weather!
If you already have a Zippi Run you can now provide your pets with even more space, thanks to the Zippi Run Extensions.
Terms and Conditions
Free delivery promotion is only valid from 09/08/19 – midnight on 12/08/19. For free delivery use promo code ZIPPISAVE. This offer is available on all Zippi tunnels, accessories, playpens and runs only. Free delivery applies to order containing Zippi products to the minimum order value of $100. Offer applies to Standard Delivery Service only. Free delivery offer is not redeemable on pallet deliveries. Omlet cannot take responsibility for third party supplier delays such as courier service. Free delivery is only valid for orders shipped to Australia.
Subject to availability. Omlet ltd. reserves the right to withdraw the offer at any point. Offer is only valid on items from our Zippi range and cannot be used on existing discounts or in conjunction with any other offer.
This entry was posted in Guinea Pigs
Cats and dogs (and humans) make noises to show others how they feel, want or don’t like. Rabbits do as well, but they mainly use body language to communicate with other rabbits, and with us. You will most likely be unable to understand everything your rabbit is trying to tell you, but by learning a few things about rabbit body language, you’ll be able to make life a little bit better for your pet.
Loss of postures and vocalizations can mean several things depending on the situation and can differ somewhat from rabbit to rabbit. It is therefore important to be able to take in accompanying signals that help you see what’s going on. Here’s how you can read the body language of a rabbit.
Your rabbit’s ear and nose
Rabbits use their ears to tune into what’s going on around them, and they can often be used as signals and are good indicators of how your rabbit is feeling. If the ears are stood up and are twitching, your rabbit is listening for something. If they are confident, it’s not dangerous, or not particularly interesting, they might only raise one ear. When they are relaxed, the ears will rest against the body, normally along the back.
The nose is also a good indicator of how the rabbit is feeling and how interested they are in what is going on around them. The faster the wiggling of the nose, the more attentive or agitated the rabbit is.
Happy rabbit body language
Fully closed eyes
Rabbits have very expressive eyes, and as they are prey animals, they will only fully close them when they are extremely comfortable and feel completely safe. So if you find your rabbits sleeping with their eyes closed, it is a clear sign that they feel at home.
The bunny flop
Your rabbit is rolling on its back with its legs in the air! This is a sign that the rabbit is really happy and relaxed, and the movement can sometimes be combined with a binky, which means that the bunny is running around and dancing madly, often jumping up in the air out of pure happiness.
Belly on the ground
The rabbit is lying on its belly with legs stretched out behind or maybe to the side of the body, with the head either up or resting on the ground. The rabbit is resting and is relaxed. The further the legs are stretched behind the body, the more comfortable the rabbit is.
Rabbit bonding body language
If the rabbit is grooming itself when you are around it can be seen as a sign that your floppy-eared friend trusts you. Rabbits are prey animals and will never take their eyes off what they think might be an intruder.
Circling
Sometimes the rabbit starts running around your feet when you’re in the run with him or her. This is a mating ritual, and a sign that your rabbit is in love with you.
Nose rubbing
Rabbits tend to rub their noses in a way to show affection, so if you find your rabbit rubbing their nose on you it’s a sign that they really like you. If they also throw in a little lick, you’re properly loved! Discover more about How Rabbits Show Love and Affection in our previous blog.
Territorial body language
Rubbing scent glands
If you have a new hutch or run, the rabbit will have to make sure that its territory is marked. Rabbits do this by rubbing scent glands on their necks against objects, spraying urine and scattering their droppings around the place. This behaviour normally stops once the rabbit feels at home.
Stressed rabbit body language
Eyes wide open combined with fluffed up fur and growling indicate fear. The rabbit’s inner eyelids might also protrude and become visible if he or she is uncomfortable.
Other common rabbit body language
The classic
Rabbit is sat with weight on the bottom, forelegs straightened and ears standing up. Your rabbit is checking to see what’s going on (p.s. – the Zippi Rabbit Platforms for Zippi Runs provide bunnies with the perfect view of what’s happening in their backyard!).
Head on the ground
If the rabbit rests its head on the ground, he or she is showing submission, and might want to be petted or groomed. In different circumstances it can also mean that they want to be left alone, so make sure to take in other signals.
The ball
Rabbit is sat rolled up with legs tucked, normally with ears resting against the body. They are sleeping or napping. Rabbits can sleep with their eyes open but prefer to keep them closed if they feel comfortable and safe enough.
Nose nudge
This can either mean “leave me alone” or “you’re in my way”. It is however also a sign of trust, as you’re not seen as a threat to the rabbit.
Nest building
If you notice that your female rabbit starts pulling out hair from their fur and collects hay in a specific place in the hutch, it’s likely that she is building a nest. Rabbits sometimes have false pregnancies, but if you think that there is a possibility that your rabbit might be pregnant, it’s worth contacting your vet.
Sounds
Whilst rabbits mostly use body language to tell us how they’re feeling, our floppy-eared friends also communicate via sound. Rabbits are relatively quiet animals, but they do make a few noises that you’ll be able to differentiate from each other. Here are a few of them:
Growling
A short barking growl is a sign of aggression, and indicates that you, or something else close by, is threatening the rabbit.
Screaming
If the rabbit lets out loud, piercing screams they’re likely to be very scared or experiencing a lot of pain.
Low grunting and grinding of teeth
This is the rabbit equivalent of a cat’s purring and means that the rabbit is content and relaxed.
Loud teeth grinding and chattering
If the grinding however changes into louder teeth chattering, the rabbit is most likely in a lot of pain.
Thumping
Rabbits drum their feet against the ground when they are afraid or threatened or want to make others aware of what is going on. Thanks to the rabbit’s strong hind legs, this can be surprisingly loud.
Now you can read your rabbit, you can build an even better bond! Shop everything your pet needs in the Omlet Rabbit shop including Caddi Rabbit Treat Holders, Zippi Rabbit Platforms, and more! And if you do notice that your fluffy friend isn’t behaving in their normal manner, or you have any concerns about their body language or general health, do not hesitate to contact your vet.
This entry was posted in Rabbits
Treat your chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs to a new home this January!
$100 off all Eglu coops and hutches with the promo code UPGRADE2019.
Terms and Conditions:
Enter code UPGRADE2019 at checkout to get £50 off your Eglu order. The promotion includes all containing Eglus, including the Eglu Classic Coop, Eglu Classic Hutch, Eglu Go, Eglu Go Up, Eglu Cube, Eglu Rabbit Hutch and Eglu Guinea Pig Hutch. Subject to availability. Omlet ltd. reserves the right to withdraw the offer at any point. Omlet cannot take responsibility for third party supplier delays such as courier service. Offer is available while stock last. This offer cannot be used on existing discounts or in conjunction with any other offer.
This entry was posted in Chickens
Why Settle For A Hutch When You Can Have A Warren?
We all know that pet rabbits need a hutch and a run. But what if they could enjoy the luxuries of a warren in your own back garden, complete with rabbit burrows and tunnels, without having to dig under the lawn and flower beds?
Connecting a rabbit hutch to a run is a simple way to keep bunnies happy. A set up such as Omlet’s Eglu Go is part of the solution, combining the indoors and outdoors that rabbits require. But there are other, more ingenious ways of giving your bunnies the perfect home.
Drain Pipes For Rabbits?
Like all animals, rabbits have inbuilt instincts that need satisfying. Rabbit tunnels and rabbit burrows are as central to their requirements as a bathroom and a comfy bed are to you. In the wild, rabbits live in complex warrens, made up of many private and communal living spaces linked by underground tunnels. This instinct to move around underground is strong in pet bunnies too. And yet, for many, it is an instinct that remains unsatisfied.
This was the inspiration behind the Zippi Rabbit Tunnel System, a design that builds and improves on the concept of drain pipes for rabbits. Its durable, flexible, easy-to-clean tunnels are a neat DIY solution that gives rabbits the tunnelling their instincts demand, and with no extra digging required.
A Rabbit Tunnel, And Then Some!
The Zippi Rabbit Tunnel System’s burrow pipes provide easy access from hutch to run, and a cosy bolt hole too. They can link runs to playpens too, enabling your kids to become part of the home warren.
Because rabbits come in all sizes, the Zippi Rabbit Tunnel System is built to accommodate the very largest of breeds, and is designed with a flexibility that puts the average drainpipe to shame:
- It comes in 90cm sections, with no limit on the length and complexity of your set up.
- All fixings and connectors are supplied.
- The Zippi doesn’t think in straight lines – it can curve around any garden feature if required.
- In addition to the standard 90cm tunnel, there are optional Zippi T-Junctions, Corner Pieces, Lock-out doors, and mid-tunnel Look-out sections which double as Hay Racks.
- Support hoops lift the Zippi from the ground, enabling the grass to grow beneath it.
- The unique design provides ventilation and drainage, and keeps out any would-be predators.
Bunny Bliss
Rabbits make great pets. They don’t disturb the peace, they don’t hunt birds and rodents, and they don’t require constant walking and training. Coupled with the fact that they are cute and full of character, this has made them a hugely popular choice of pet in recent years.
But it’s not just about keeping you happy, it’s about delivering the bunny bliss your pet deserves. With a hutch and run, you’ve provided a cosy home. But add the Zippi Rabbit Tunnel System, and you’ve got a wonderful warren that represents the ultimate des res for rabbits.
This entry was posted in Rabbits
1)
Rabbit teeth never stop growing and it is very important to keep a regular check on them. Rabbits have 28 teeth. Some signs of overgrown teeth are lack of appetite, listlessness and weight loss. Always seek expert advice about this.
2)
Rabbits live for between 4 – 8 years. Giant Rabbits generally live shorter lives – approx 4 -5 years. Dwarf breeds have a longer life span and can live for as long as eight years and in some rare cases, it has been documented, for even longer.
3)
Rabbits’ eyes are on the sides of the head, giving them excellent vision all the way around, with a small blind spot at the point directly in front of them and directly behind them. As prey animals, this trait enables them to keep a lookout for predators.
4)
Rabbits cannot sweat. They release heat over their body surface, especially the ears.
5)
Rabbits have 5 toes on each front paw and 4 toes on each hind paw, so 18 total.
6)
A Rabbit’s pregnancy lasts 28-31 days and an average litter has 6-10 babies.
7)
A female Rabbit is called a doe
A male Rabbit is called a buck.
A young Rabbit is called a kit (or kitten)
8)
Baby Rabbits are born with their eyes closed, and the eyes do not begin to open until around the age of two weeks old.
9)
More than half of the world’s rabbits live in North America.
10)
Rabbits are crepuscular which means they snooze all day and are most active in the early morning and in the evening.
11)
When a rabbit is very happy, it jumps up into the air, twisting and flicking its feet and head. This movement is known as a binky!
12)
Rabbits chew 120 times a minute and have over 17,000 taste buds.
This entry was posted in Rabbits
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